Saturday, October 11, 2014

Prevention and First Aid Treatment for Heatstroke

Don’t we just love those long, hot summer days in the sun? Keep in mind, however, that the high temperatures and excessive humidity can pose dangers. One of the dangers to be aware of is that of heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs as a result long, extreme exposure to the sun. When a person does not sweat enough to lower body temperature core temperature rises quickly and heatstroke occurs.

The first aid tips in this article in no way precludes immediate medical attention. Heatstroke can be extremely damaging to you health. It progresses very quickly and is life threatening. While there are first aid measures that can be taken, heatstroke is a medical emergency. Time is crucial and help should be summoned immediately.

Infants and the elderly are among the group at high risk for heatstroke. Also vulnerable are the obese, alcoholics, persons taking certain medications, or those with cardiovascular disease.

Another group that may be at risk is the summer athlete. As with any prolonged physical activity, summer sports can be potentially dangerous. An excellent source of information on heat stroke and how it relates to summer sports can be found at the Gatorade Sports Science Institute online.Some risk factors for heat stroke include dehydration. alcohol use, cardiovascular disease, and medications. The important thing to remember is that when high temperatures and humidity are present conditions are right for heat stroke. There are some preventive measures you should take if you are going to be in the heat for extensive hours. This is especially necessary if you are planning prolonged physical activity.

Have plenty of water and/or sports drinks on hand to prevent dehydration. Wear clothing that allows you to sweat and will prevent overheating. Heat stroke results from the body’s inability to sweat and keep itself cool. Take breaks and sit in a shaded area to cool down.

Some early warning signs of heatstroke may include a rapid rise in body temperature (104° F or higher), irritability, confusion, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, hot, dry red skin, hallucinations, and rapid heart beat. There may even be be loss of consciousness.

If you suspect someone has heat stroke take action quickly. Have someone call 911 for help. Get the person out of the sun into a shaded or air-conditioned area.

If possible immerse the person in a tub of ice water, or spray them with a garden hose. If nothing else wrap them in cool sheets. Whatever means you have, the objective is to cool them down as quickly as possibly. Monitor them closely. Cool the person until their body temperature drops to 101-102°F.

Move quickly, if not treated, heat stroke can be fatal in with-in the hour. If medical assistance does not arrive after you have cooled them down, call a hospital emergency room for further advice.

In conclusion, when enjoying the intense heat and humidity of summer remember to wear lightweight, breatheable clothing. Keep plenty of water and sports drinks on hand. Schedule heavy physical activity for cooler hours of the day. Acclimate yourself to the sun and heat by spending short times in the sun at first. With these few steps in mind may you all have a wonderful summer whenever it comes to your part of the globe.

Thursday, October 09, 2014

Natural Ways To Lower Cholesterol

High cholesterol levels can greatly increase the risk of heart disease including potentially fatal heart attacks. Heart disease can be caused by a number of factors but lowering cholesterol can have many positive effects and reduce risk. High cholesterol causes hardening of the arteries. Blood flow is then reduced to the heart which may result in chest pains or a heart attack. Lowering the possible causes of hardening or blocking the arteries will help maintain a healthy heart.

For severely high cholesterol it is recommended to seek consultation with a physician for the best course of treatment. Traditionally, this is treated with prescription medication. However, the majority of people can lower cholesterol naturally without the use of prescription drugs. Natural remedies are abundantly available. With a few changes in eating habits and lifestyle, one can easily lower cholesterol.

Eating foods that are low in fat will help as well as avoiding those with high fat content, especially foods containing trans-fat. Spreads such as butter and margarine have high levels of trans-fat. Packaged foods and frozen foods generally contain high levels also. Potato chips, crackers, baked goods and fast foods are all types to avoid. Instead concentrate on foods that are low in fat and high in fiber. Foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, fish, and garlic are great to use in your daily diet.

Lifestyle changes are important if you are not leading a fairly healthy life. Smoking can increase the chances of having high cholesterol. Quitting not only will help this but will also reduce several other medical risks. Regular exercise will help promote a healthy heart. Partake in some form of aerobic exercise several times each week.

Vitamin E may help reduce fatty formations on arteries. Artichoke leaf extract helps produce bile while assisting in eliminating cholesterol from the body. Chromium is a proven method of maintaining correct blood sugar levels, which will help control cholesterol. Niacin in high doses has shown benefits for reducing cholesterol. However, if taking other medications, consult a physician as niacin can react adversely to other medications.

High cholesterol is a condition that affects many people throughout the world. It can increase chances of heart disease and potentially shorten life. Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating healthy and exercising can reduce these risks significantly. Adding supplements can also help reduce cholesterol levels. Although the risks of high cholesterol are serious, it is easily controlled.

Loss Weight - Live a Happy Lifestyle

Obesity has become one of the major problems faced by millions of people in United States. This has resulted in many weight loss corporate industry in the country to boom tin this sector. Although there are good programs conducted, but I feel folks can themselves do quite a bit to lessen their weight. The two most important factors in weight loss are work-out (exercise) and controlled diet. Several points have been put in order to benefit the individuals seeking to reduce their weight.

1. Have at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits everyday. Most of the fruits are low in calories and full of nutrition. They also contain many other vitamins and fibers.

2. View these nutrition facts: Its a nice idea to know how many calories you are consuming. Some foods combination can be deceiving, for example if you have a plate of salad with the topping of high calories and along with it a bottle of soda, then you have just had more calories then you might get from a combination of grilled chicken sandwich plus diet soda. So be intelligent with what you in take. Try to eat home cooked food as much as possible.

3. Calories are totally cut down if you eat little, but frequently compared to three big meals of the day.

4. Give yourself a break: Every time being restrictive can anyway demoralize you, so take breaks at every regular interval of time. But do not over-eat at the same time, be cautious and strive to make up for it in other meals.

5. Drinks: Juice, soda, cream consist of large amount of sugars which we generally do not recommend into diet plan. Also drink water in plenty.

6. Exercise: Do not use your car for every now and than, walk wherever you can. Try to go for hiking and those loads of bag helps to burn extra calories. Make friends who have an active standard of living, join gymnasium or get a treadmill at your home. Remember to increase your exercise in a very proper way, increase your exercise day by day. Be practical on what your body can take and avoid exertion.

7. Get motivation: To get inspired, talk to people who have had success in weight loss as they will give you a lot of inspiration.

8. Try to get good and enough sleep, reduce stress and live happy.

9. Appreciate yourself when you achieve your monthly weight loss milestones.

10. Not at all give up, even if you have failed a many times earlier.

11. While eating chew the food slowly, that can lead to weight loss. Did you ever notice that thin people takes quite long time to eat their food? Eating slowly is one method that can help to burn pounds of weight. That’s because from the time you begin to eat, it takes the brain 20 minutes to start commanding feelings of completeness. Quick eaters often eat beyond their true level of fullness before the 20 minute command has had a chance to set in. The amount of calories consumed before you begin to feel full can vary appreciably depending on how quickly you eat. So slow down, take smaller bites and enjoy every tasty bite of the meal.